West Palm Beach Boating & Fishing Accident Attorney

Reviewed by Mike Redondo, Founding Attorney, Redondo Law, P.A. • Updated October 2026

If you were hurt in a boat or jet ski accident on the water near West Palm Beach, Redondo Law can help you understand your options. We represent injured passengers, swimmers, renters and other boaters, and families who lost someone, in boating cases in West Palm Beach and across Palm Beach County.

We want to be plain about where we are. Our only office is in Miami, about 70 miles south. We work with West Palm Beach clients by phone, by video, or in person, and the consultation is free. This page is part of our West Palm Beach injury lawyer guide.

Where people boat around West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach is a boating city. On any weekend, the water is shared by private boats, charters, rental boats, jet skis, paddlers and swimmers. The main areas include:

• The Intracoastal Waterway and Lake Worth Lagoon. The protected waters between the mainland and the barrier island.
• Peanut Island. A popular stop where boats anchor and people get in the water.
• The Lake Worth Inlet. Also called the Palm Beach Inlet, it connects the lagoon to the ocean.
• Offshore Atlantic waters. Used for fishing, diving and cruising.

The area has many marinas, charter operators, boat rental companies and jet ski operators. That means a lot of people on the water with very different levels of skill.

Common causes of boat accidents

Most boating accidents are not freak events. They come from the same handful of mistakes.

• Inattention. The operator is talking, looking at a phone or a screen, or simply not keeping a lookout.
• Speed. Going too fast for the traffic, the conditions or a slow-speed zone.
• Alcohol. Drinking slows reaction time on the water just as it does on the road.
• Inexperience. A renter or new owner who does not know the rules or how the boat handles.
• Wakes. A large wake can throw passengers down or overboard, even without a collision.
• Equipment problems. Steering, throttle or engine failures, or missing safety gear.

Jet skis deserve a special mention. They are fast, easy to rent, and often driven by people with little practice.

Who can be liable

More than one person or company may be responsible for a boating injury. We look at each of these.

The operator

The person driving the boat must keep a proper lookout, travel at a safe speed and follow the navigation rules. An operator who fails to do so can be liable to injured passengers, other boaters and swimmers.

The owner

The owner may be responsible for letting an unfit or untrained person drive, or for failing to maintain the boat or carry required safety gear.

A rental or charter company

Rental companies and jet ski operators may share fault if they put an unprepared renter on the water, skipped safety instruction, or rented out poorly maintained equipment. A charter company can be responsible for the actions of its captain and crew. Many of these companies have customers sign a waiver. A waiver does not always end a claim, so have it reviewed before you assume it does.

A manufacturer

If a defect in the boat, engine or a part caused the accident or made the injuries worse, the manufacturer may be liable.

Boating under the influence

Boating under the influence, or BUI, is against the law in Florida. The legal limit is 0.08, the same number that applies to driving. Sun, heat and motion can make alcohol hit harder on the water.

A BUI arrest is a criminal matter, but it also matters in an injury claim. Evidence that the operator was impaired can be strong proof of fault. In a civil case, an impaired operator may also face a claim for punitive damages.

The boating safety ID rule

Florida requires anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 to have a boating safety ID card to operate a vessel with 10 horsepower or more. To get the card, a person has to complete a boating safety course.

If the operator who hurt you was required to have the card and did not, that fact can help show the operator, or the owner or company that handed over the keys, was careless.

The duty to report

Serious boating accidents must be reported. In Florida, that means notifying the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, known as FWC, or local law enforcement such as the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office or the West Palm Beach Police Department.

The investigating officer’s report is important evidence. It can identify the operator and owner, record witness names, and note signs of alcohol use. If nobody reported the accident you were in, tell us. We can help you make sure it gets reported.

When maritime law may apply

Boating cases are not always governed by Florida law alone. Federal maritime law can apply to accidents on navigable waters, which can include the Intracoastal Waterway, the inlet and the ocean. Whether it applies depends on where the accident happened and what the vessel was doing.

This matters for two reasons. First, maritime law has its own rules on fault, damages and limits on a vessel owner’s liability. Second, the deadline can be different from Florida’s two-year deadline. Passenger tickets and charter or rental contracts may also contain their own notice and filing deadlines, and these can be short.

Do not assume you know your deadline. Have it checked early by a lawyer who can look at the facts and the paperwork.

Injuries in boating accidents

There are no seat belts or airbags on most boats, and help is farther away than on land. Injuries we see include:

• Drowning and near-drowning, which can cause lasting brain injury
• Propeller injuries, including deep cuts and amputations
• Head injuries and concussions
• Spinal injuries from hard landings and wake impacts
• Broken bones
• Burns from fuel fires or explosions

St. Mary’s Medical Center, a trauma center, and Good Samaritan Medical Center both serve West Palm Beach. If a loved one died, Florida’s wrongful death law lets the personal representative of the estate bring a claim on behalf of the estate and the survivors. Maritime law may change who can claim and what can be recovered.

What to do after a boat accident

How working with a Miami-based firm works

Redondo Law has one office, at 2828 Coral Way in Miami. We do not have an office in West Palm Beach. West Palm Beach clients can meet with us by phone, by video, or at the Miami office. If your injuries keep you from traveling, we come to you.

Lawsuits are filed in the court where the case belongs. For a Palm Beach County accident, that is often Florida’s 15th Judicial Circuit, which has its main courthouse in downtown West Palm Beach. Some maritime cases belong in federal court. Mike Redondo is licensed to practice throughout Florida.

Mike is the firm’s only attorney, and he personally oversees every case. Our staff is fully bilingual, and our phones are answered 24/7.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to file a boat accident claim?

It depends on which law applies. Florida’s deadline for most negligence claims is two years. Maritime law, a passenger ticket or a rental contract can set a different deadline. Have yours checked as soon as you can.

I was a passenger on a friend’s boat. Can I still make a claim?

Yes. Passengers are often the people hurt most. A claim is usually paid by insurance, if the owner or operator has it. Florida does not require most private boat owners to carry liability insurance, so finding all available coverage is an early step.

I signed a waiver at the rental company. Is my case over?

Not always. Whether a waiver holds up depends on its wording, what went wrong, and which law applies. Keep a copy and let us read it.

What if the operator had been drinking?

Tell the investigating officer what you saw. Impairment can be strong evidence of fault, and it may support a claim for punitive damages.

What does it cost to hire Redondo Law?

The consultation is free, and there is no fee unless we win. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, set within the limits of the Florida Bar rules, and it is explained in a written agreement before you sign.

If you were hurt on the water near West Palm Beach, we are glad to talk through what happened. You can read more detail on our Miami boat accident lawyer page, or call (305) 908-6778 any time.